We have had a dryer than normal summer, but not exactly a draught. We've suplimented some hay and grain this month to try letting the pasture lots come back a little longer. Getting more rain in the last 2-3 weeks. Our herd is steady on number, we've kept back a few more heifers last year than normal because we had a high percent of heifer calves to pick from and the sale price was lower, so next year we'll be up a few more calving. Most heard around here I think have been steady. Not many here move cattle except for a few miles down the road. Most beef herds here are small, 20-50 head. We are competing with dairy herds for crop ground and pasture.
Hay this year has been really good quality, but it's 20-30 percent less volume than last year. The warm June-July weather and little rain was a double edge sword. Great for getting your hay in, but not good for pasture or getting a second cutting. The latest rain is helping but it's getting late in the year to try getting good dry 2nd cutting. Will need to make baleage to get it.